, 1887-04-09
The Fisheries Question.

WASHINGTON, April 8.-The president
having received a communication from the
American Fisheries Union of Massachu-
sets, calling attention to the fisheries dis
pute and suggesting that the retaliatory
act passed by the late congress would. in
their opinion, be sufficiently executed if
the proposed retaliation was confined to
closing the United States markets to Cam
adam fish. ho has made the following an-
swer.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
April 7.-Geor0e Steele, Esq., President
american Fishery Un,on, and Others,
Gloucester, Moss.-GENTLEMAN--I have
received your letter lately addressed to
me, and have given full consideration to
the expression of your wishes therein con-
tanned. In relation to the existing differ
ences between Great Britain and the
United States, growing out of the refusal
to award to our citizens engaged in fishing
enterprises the privileges to which they
are entitled under treaties, stipulations or
guarantees of international comfy and
neighborly concession, | sincerely trust
the apprehension you express of unjust
and unfrlendly treatment of American
fishermen lawfully found in Canadian
waters will not be realized, but if such APP
prehension should prove to be well
founded, | earnestly hope that no fault or
inconsiderate action of any Of our citizens
will in the least weaken the position of
our government or deprive lis Of the sym
patty and support to which we should be
entitled.
The action of this administration since
June, 1885, when the fishery articles of
the treaty of 1871 were terminated, has
been fully described by correspondence
between appropriate departments of the
respective governments, with which | am
apprised by your letter You are entirely
familiar. An examination of this CORE
spondence has doubtless satisfied you hat
in no case have the rights or privileges of
American fishermen been overlooked or
uCSltClCu, Dul luul, jill tut CUulTdT1, tltl
been seduously insisted upon and cared
for by every means within the control of
the executive branch of the government.
The act of congress approved March 3,
1887. authorizing n course of retaliation
through executive action in the event of
the continuance OF unfriendly conduct and
frootx- xr,o1at,npo oGnotp. tn Eo1
ermen, has devolved upon the president
of the United States grave and solemn
responsibilities, involving the extremely
valuable commercial intercourse between
the British possessions of North America
and the people of the United States. |
understand the main purport Of your
letter is to suggest that, in case recourse
to the retsliatory measures authorized by
this act should be invoked by unjust treat
ment of our fishermen in the future, the
object of such retaliation might be fully
accomplished by prohibiting Canadian
bought fish from entering into ports Of
the United States.
III pciiOiIHauOc VI tHe strluuS uuly
which congress has imposed upon me in
exercise upon just occasion of the power
conferred, | shall feel bound to inHict no
unnecessary damage or injury upon any
portion of our people, but | shall, never
theless, be unflinchingly guided by a sense
of what self respect and the dignity of the
nation demand. In the maintenance of
these and in support of the honor of the
government, beneath which every citizen
may repose in safety, no sacrifice of per-
sonal or private interests shall be consid-
cred as against the general welfare.
Yours, very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.